The prophet Zechariah showed that Jesus wouldn’t come as a conquering victor, but as the King of Peace. And to truly worship this peaceful king, we must resist temptations and turn away from sin. This seems daunting, but Jesus assured us that the burden of discipleship is lighter than the burden of carrying the weight of wrongful thoughts and deeds. If we take on his yoke by embracing his teachings and commands, we will discover that the reward for following Jesus far outweighs anything we get from sin. It’s a journey that leads to true freedom, peace, and eternal life with the Father in heaven!

Scripture shows us the importance of kindness, of hospitality, and of the courage to speak truth to power. It reminds us that, through baptism, we die to sin and rise to new life with Christ. It also challenges us to prioritize Jesus above everything else and to be willing to take up our cross and follow him. As Christians, we have to be prepared to face whatever challenges come our way. And through our actions, we must fully embrace discipleship and live out the call to follow our Lord, Jesus Christ!

We know proclaiming the truth can be difficult, but we understand the importance of letting people know that Jesus has triumphed over sin and death. He is more powerful than any force that seeks to separate us from God’s love because we are important to God. And despite the challenges we face, we are called to share the word of God, knowing that God is with us, empowering and protecting us. We have been assured of the ultimate victory of truth and the transformative power of God's grace!

As true disciples of Christ, we need to understand that being loved by God is foundational to our identity. We’re called to actively participate in building the Kingdom of God, but this mission must be rooted in the knowledge that we are precious to God. When we understand this, we can respond wholeheartedly to God's call. And it becomes so much easier to approach service with joy and authenticity, fostering healthy relationships and preventing burnout. Knowing we are precious to God can be truly transformative. It can power our ongoing conversion as disciples, while shaping our attitudes, our actions, and our interactions with others. It powers us to continue building the Kingdom on earth!

We know that we’ll face challenges throughout our lives, but the Lord doesn’t expect us to face them alone. We’re called to be in communion with Christ and one another, for we all make up the Body of Christ on earth. We can find strength, support, and comfort in our connection to the Lord and to our fellow disciples, confidently confronting the trials that come our way. Together, we can overcome challenges, uplift one another, and spread Jesus’ message of love, forgiveness, and radical acceptance!

In spite of our poor choices, God continues to offer us forgiveness… if we humbly ask Him. We know that we’re called to emulate God's compassion by praying for blessings upon others, including those who criticize or even oppose us. And knowing God's desire for the salvation of the world through Jesus Christ, we’re encouraged to introduce people to the transformative power of our Savior. In doing so, we can contribute to creating a more compassionate and inclusive world - one that reflects the love and mercy of the Holy Trinity!

We’re living through a difficult time. The world needs true disciples of Christ to share the Good News, to reignite hope, and to build the Kingdom on earth. But when we get discouraged - and we will - we need to remember that the Spirit can bridge any divide and bring people together because, in spite of all our differences, we are ALL equal before the Lord. Jesus challenges you and me to venture out, bear witness to God’s forgiveness, and then work with the Spirit to bring the peace of Christ to a desperate world!

The Solemnity of the Ascension shares God’s purpose and how the church fits into that plan. The universal Church has a mission to fulfill but it might not be easy because the Church is intended to be universal and inclusive. These two elements coexist so well because Jesus is with us. And if we share the Gospel message, and face the challenges head on, we know that Jesus is right beside us, providing guidance and strength as we build the Kingdom on Earth!

As true disciples of Christ, we’re called to lead people to the Lord whenever the opportunities to do so arise. This means we might need to make personal sacrifices for the greater good, including responding to opposition with gentleness and respect. But by loving one another as Jesus loved us, we show our love for him and open ourselves to the love of the Father. So let’s demonstrate our love for Jesus by following his commands and by sharing the Gospel message of love and radical acceptance!

True disciples of Christ aren’t meant to sit idly by and let things just happen as they may. We are called to actively engage with the world and make a positive difference in the lives of those around us. The role of service has always been critical to the church, and our Gospel reading today shows that without people like us, there is no “spiritual house.” So let’s not be afraid to embrace the challenge the Jesus places before us. We can start small, but we can’t forget that true disciples are called and destined to do great things!